Spurs’ rough month could be extended by Liverpool, another perfect record is on the line at Watford and fears for West HamSeptember hasn’t exactly been great for Tottenham thus far. Defeat at Watford was followed by landing in Barcelona’s Champions League group, Daniel Levy confirming more costly delays to the new stadium and a night in Milton Keynes. Dele Alli got injured on international duty and their captain, Hugo Lloris, was ruled out with a thigh problem shortly after admitting being two times over the drink-drive limit. Ever a man to brighten the mood, Son Heung-min returns this week fresh from pulling the nutmeg of the year, with Asian Games gold (and military service exemption) also in the bag. How...
This weekend’s fixtures are as much about the past as the present and Huddersfield against Cardiff is the most evocative of the lotThe haiku is generally considered the shortest form of poem in the world. Related: Sergio Agüero embraces defending to erase Pep Guardiola’s doubts | Jonathan Wilson Related: Premier League managers should forget the mythical 40-point mark Continue reading...
Chelsea and Arsenal promise goals and flaws, Fulham must tighten up and will sparks fly between Benítez and Warnock?Friday football countdown: latest news and more – live!With two teams in flux, Chelsea’s derby with Arsenal is a meeting that promises goals. Both sides are vulnerable in defence and dangerous in attack. Although beaten comfortably in the end, Huddersfield exposed Chelsea’s weakness to attacks down the wings last week and Arsenal may aim to do likewise, while David Luiz, in particular, will likely struggle to keep up with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the middle. But Chelsea’s midfield thrusters – who could include Eden Hazard from the start as well as N’Golo Kanté in all-new Roving Mode – could wreak havoc at the...
Now the white noise of the ‘non-football’ season has finished the Premier League needs Jürgen Klopp’s side to make the next eight months feel less predictableWell, at least that’s all over. Anyone who loves football will of course hate the transfer window, which rather than simply “slamming shut” should instead be abolished permanently along with agents, loan deals, signing-on fees, release clauses, theatrically over-excited men behind lighted desks, people who celebrate transfers as though witnessing some profound human achievement, medicals with hair-gelled men lying on tables doing the thumbs-up with wires clamped to their nipples, want-away aces, stay-away aces, open letters to the fans, car parks, children in car parks, children, cars, one-year deals, three-year deals, running down contracts, entourages,...
Manchester United and Leicester under pressure to start well, Emery’s formidable opening task, heightened ambitions for Brighton and Wolves Related: Summer transfer window verdict: how every Premier League club fared Related: Transfer window 2018 – every summer deal from Europe's top five leagues Related: The big Premier League preview – Football Weekly Extra Continue reading...